every 1200 I've ever owned has needed to have these repleced at some time. When I bought my current 1200, they weren't very old. (red nolethane ones) But after taking it out for the 1st time since feb, I noticed that the handling was off. I jacked her up, and took a gander. The top bush was smoked.
New ones were only $15, so I got some.
The pocket sits very close to my extractors. and I think that why it shat out. I have head of guys using bearings in these, or can I just turn up some bronze bushes in the lathe? I knew a bloke who had his turbo so close to it that after three laps of Ruapuna park his bushes would melt.
What have you guys done? Pics would be nice too!

either of those solutions sounds pretty good to me

I'd probably go the bearing option if one that fits was readily available. On Valiants (which are near the exhaust too, but the biggest issue imho is the massive stress they are under on a heavy car with suspension geometry that has a little bump steer (esp if you go lower) so they are always fighting against that bump steer even in a straight line, so to speak).. Based on the results with bearings on the vals, it's the way I'd go if I had persistent trouble with one on a different make/model vehicle.

I own two vals too johny. (as luck would have it) And I do recall eading about that mod on mopar market. I was kinda hopjing that someone who's done it to their datto would offer up some pic's/their experience.
The pocket where the bushed go is kinda tapered, so I'm not 100% sure how id' do to fit a bearing to it.

it'd be nice if you find a small wheel bearing with the right taper